Many changes

I've realized how lazy I've been at updating our blog. But it takes making the time, plus downloading pics. Mostly its just plain laziness. So, to update on what has been happening over the last 4mo.,lots of changes. I've been done w/work since beginning of June. I really miss all of the people I've come to work closely with on the surgical floor back in Montana. Many hours of laughs, stress, tears, late nights spent together. Tom finished work the middle of June, packed up the rest of our belongings, met me in Idaho, spent a couple of days there w/family. then moved across the country (again) for more stress, less hair/gray hair, having had an income to no income, seeing my husband for 2hrs before he returns back to school to study. Cleveland will be our home for 2yrs. Tom decided to specialize in the endodontic program here at Case Western Reserve. We're still getting used to the city and having to drive at least 30min. just to get anywhere. Pittsburgh was like that also, but it had everything you needed in one location. Here its just the opposite. Which I find very frustrating, but not much you can do about it but deal with it. I do love it back here though...with all the trees, old buildings, history, greenery, the lightning bugs, (not the humidity). Many changes have been happening all at once, and I have found it more difficult to adjust.

From working part time as a nurse to working full time as a stay at home has been challenging. Prayer has been more a part of my day, more often than before. Patience, well I'm still learning....everyday. I have come to appreciate my own mother for what she did for me as a difficult, demanding child.

Brynn turned 3 in April and loves anything princess. Pink is her favorite color, she loves playing, coloring, reading books w/mom, being independent, playing w/Ava and her new little friend next door, riding her bike, playing dress up, laughing, putting on make-up, helping me clean/mop, watching "dego" (diego), feeding Ava, and learning new and exciting things. Ava turned 1 in May. She has become my little tom-boy. She loves climbing...on everything, running/being chased, putting anything and everything in her mouth, copying her sister/playing w/her big sis, getting dirty, getting into everything she can (including the toilet), smiling w/her 8 front teeth, laughing. Now with only 3 weeks till our new little girl greets us, we only add more change. Many times I think Heavenly Father must have known I could handle the 16mo. difference between Ava and this one. But I also think how crazy I was that I felt ready to start trying for another little spirit to bless our home. Oh, either I'll learn to be patient, or go crazy in the process. I hope and pray the first.

A little bit of what we've been up to

Ahhhh. a week in paradise! Last week we had the awesome opportunity to go on our first "real honeymoon." We left Thursday afternoon to drop the kids off w/grandma, and woke up around 1:30 a.m. to catch our flight out of SLC at 6:00 a.m. for Cancun Mexico. Nothing but lots of sunshine, 85 degree weather, and I would guess 50% humidity. So much better than 52 degree weather in Montana.

It is so different traveling outside the states. A bit overwhelming too. The biggest stress during out time in paradise was the language barrier. Many times I thought it would have been useful if Tom had served a spanish speaking mission. Even the people at the hotel had such a thick accent it was difficult to decifer what they were trying to communicate. but then again, maybe many times it was best NOT to know what they were saying.

We spent out 6 days packed w/activities. Our first day we went to the Tulum ruins w/a private tour, so worth the $ b/c it gave us not only and LDS perspective, but also an archeological one also. Plus we weren't struggling to hear what was going on w/a big tour group. There is so much history, and I cannot believe how incredibly smart the mayan people were. So much relates to the book of mormon that it is awe dropping at times. After a very hot day, we went swimming in a cenote, which is basically a big sink hole... Refreshing.

But by far my favorite time being there was visiting Ek Balam and Chichen Itza. Both were amazing. We actually got to climb up Ek Balam. Tulum and Chichen Itza are only for the eyes. Bummer but I understand why. The stairs are so uneven and tall in places it's easy to fall. I had no idea just how huge Chichen Itza is. And the tour was incredible. He shared information about the ball court, certain carvings and their meanings, the temple itself, astronomy....oh it was incredible. I am still in awe of how the Mayan people lived. What was I guess even more of an experience was that both tour guides were of Mayan decent. Kinda cool.

The rest of our time we spent snorkeling, zip lining, riding atv's, experiencing the mexican culture through dance, relaxing and enjoying each other's company. So nice without kids too!

Swimming in the cenote Ik Kill

The view from the top at Ek Balam

Chichen Itza

The view every morning

The BIG news

Our home is increasing by 2 more feet! Most already know, but we are expecting bigelow baby #3 in September. Very excited but very nervous about the whole thing considering A. and the new baby will be 16months apart....YIKES. I don't want to sound disappointed b/c I'm not. The baby was planned, but not so soon for me. I guess Heavenly Father had different plans and knew this little one needed to join our family soon. My first ultrasound is on the 24th. Kinda nervous but don't know why. We are excited, but concerned all at the same time considering I will be 6mo. pregnant and moving to Ohio. Plus finding an OB within 2 months before I'm due.....ugh, just need to take it one day at a time.

B.'s "Artwork"

It seems yesterday I was trying to catch up all day. I worked on Tuesday and didn't make it to bed till 1:30a.m. and probably got 5hrs. of sleep. Enough to function and get through the next day, but not enough to feel myself. But it always takes me at least 2 days to really feel like I'm not a walking zombie. Yesterday afternoon I layed A. down for a nap and seized the opportunity to lay down also, maybe catch some much needed z's. B. didn't feel like taking a nap, so I though fine. I'll just let you play and hopefully I'll get a 30min. power nap in. She was such a good girl. Played in her room quietly with her door shut not making much noise. So I'm thinking, great, maybe I can get some sleep. About an hour goes by and I hear her open her door, come into my room and attempt to get on the bed. After realizing she is not going anywhere I get up and to my surprise, i find her bottom half looking smurf like, open her door see that she had colored on her walls around her bed, making sure to get every wall tagged, her bed w/green and blue markers scribbled on the cover, and both markers laying on her pillow w/two big green and blue blobs. Inside I'm laughing b/c it was my own fault for letting her have free range while I lay down, but trying not to get too upset. So I say to her "why did you color on your walls and on yourself. Mommy is upset, you don't do that. What do you think should happen? should mommy give you a spanking?" Her big puppy dog eyes welled up w/tears and her bottom lip curled and started to quiver, ever so slightly. I think she knew she was in trouble and that was punishment enough.

So, I strip her swim suit off, (she even managed to get marker on that), and proceeded to start the bath, came back to her room to strip the bed, and found an empty box of wipies.

It was completely full earlier in the week. but I can say that at least she tried to clean herself up as best she could.

And after the bath A. was screaming for food, so I put B. in a diaper and while feeding A., B. came out all dressed up in my boots. From the side she looked like one of those half goat half human mythical creatures. Even watching her trying to walk was hilarious.